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Brian Trautwein and Sandy Lejeune: Give Goleta Beach Project a Chance
The Santa Barbara County Parks Department recently unveiled a creative new master plan to enhance Goleta Beach Park as a first-class recreational destination and protect its facilities from erosion. While this plan in concept has been widely praised by a variety of interested groups and citizens, one vocal opponent has suggested the county go back and retry a failed attempt at constructing an erosion control structure called a groin right on Goleta Beach — a controversial plan that was soundly defeated by state regulators in a dramatic 9-1 vote last July.
That plan was opposed by a battery of coastal scientists, engineers, biologists and environmental groups including the Environmental Defense Center, whose research clearly showed the project would have caused down-coast beaches and bluffs (e.g. More Mesa) to erode. In short, structures that trap sand or armor shorelines against erosion merely shift erosion to other areas, causing beaches to erode.
The flawed groin project was never supported by or even unveiled to the county-appointed Goleta Beach Working Group. More than 500 letters were submitted to the California Coastal Commission last year objecting to the erosion control groin because of harm to down-coast beaches. These concerned citizens wrote in support of the county’s new concept for maintaining Goleta Beach Park.
The new approach involves reconfiguring the western portion of the park and its amenities, including the western parking lot (nearest UCSB) and the underground sewer and utility lines, which are at risk from coastal erosion. The parking would be replaced just offsite with an interpretive trail and water taxi connecting to the park.
No one wants a sewage spill on Goleta Beach. The sewer and utility lines should be moved as far inland as possible to get them outside of the “critical erosion zone” identified by engineers and geologists, so that they will be safe long into the future.
In addition, unpermitted rock seawalls installed in past years finally will be removed from portions of the park to enhance public access to the beach, increase the size of the beach and restore its ecological
health. Rocks installed with permits and those pre-dating the Coastal Act, including the rock revetment in front of the restaurant, will remain in place. New recreational improvements are also planned including kayak rentals, improved bike and pedestrian access and a larger beach.
The county’s new approach promises to cost substantially less than the flawed groin project, which would have required extensive monitoring, maintenance and frequent expensive sand replenishment to try to offset losses to down-coast beaches.
With some relatively minor changes, the new plan for Goleta Beach — in concept — is acceptable to the environmental groups who defeated the groin last year, including the EDC and the Surfrider Foundation.
We believe that if these same changes are made, the Coastal Commission will also support the project. The county should be applauded for thinking out of the box and coming up with a new plan that preserves and enhances Goleta Beach as a wonderful family park and that seeks to avoid the controversy and problems that plagued the prior proposal.
We urge all stakeholders to keep an open mind and give this new compromise concept a chance.
— Brian Trautwein is an environmental analyst for the Environmental Defense Center. Sandy Lejeune is chairman of the Santa Barbara Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.
Comments
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» on 02.25.10 @ 06:20 AM
The citizens of Santa Barbara thank you for wanting to save Goleta Beach. By saving Goleta Beach, you are saving our land for the Airport. And the best thing about it, we don’t have to pay for it, except through some of our taxes which go to the county.
So THANK YOU for helping to protect our airport and land surrounding it.
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» on 02.25.10 @ 06:59 AM
Thank you for this approach to Goleta Beach. The downstream erosion and beach loss is an extremely important issue. Having worked on similiar projects in the past I do believe the correct approach is being implemented. I am glad that sound science and engineering was able to overcome efforts that would have negative and very expensive consequences along a substantial stretch of our coastline.
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» on 02.25.10 @ 07:00 AM
I am the chair (a man), not the chairwoman, of the Santa Barbara Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.
The Surfrider Foundation is a national and international non-profit organization; the Santa Barbara chapter is one of more than 60 chapters nationwide that are part of Surfrider.
Thanks.
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» on 02.25.10 @ 07:15 AM
This plan will be very expensive and it’s not something we can afford. And even
if we could why would we want to limit access to this park by taking out a
parking lot, imposing fees on what is now a free beach, and creating a new deficit
for our county.
I’ve been a member of Surfrider for over ten years and I am bewildered by their actions.
If this was a surfing beach there is no way they would support additional fees and
reduced parking. Surfrider was on the right side when fees were proposed for parking on the west side of Isla Vista because it would reduce access to a good local surf spot. That was the right thing to do because it recognized that people have
a right to access.
People in Goleta have yet to discover what the plans are. When they do I believe there
will be an outcry against taking a free beach and replacing it with fees and a silly
pontoon boat.
Leave the current rocks in place… keep the parking lot there to help protect the
utility lines and look at other solutions such as reintroducing kelp beds to cut
down on erosion. These would be less expensive, more beneficial to the environment, and, in keeping with Surfrider’s code, Protect the Beach.
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» on 02.25.10 @ 07:17 AM
The greatest single feature of Goleta beach is the west end self boat launch area for small boats and kayaks. Haskells beach was the only other area beach this could be done, which of course it can’t now. The idea to move the parking in the west end concerns me. The thought of water taxis is laughable. So this environmentally superior idea will now dredge the slew and move parking on the wetland? What about alternatives? Japanese jacks? Strategic rockpiles? To say all manmade structures cause erosion elsewhere just isn’t true, it isn’t so black and white. The Goleta and county residents do not want a more world class destination beach, they want simply the same resource for friends, family and an opportunity to enjoy what we have come to love. These opinions seems like they are written by a politician, from what I hear about Goleta 2.0 I don’t want to give it a chance. This plan will give us locals less resources and parking fees.
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» on 02.25.10 @ 10:05 AM
I was at the recent Parks Dept. informational hearing and the vast majority of people attending it supported the new Goleta Beach 2.0 plan. I think it is great and shows a very creative approach to solving some potentially serious erosion issues. It increases recreational opportunities and would appear to cost less than the previous plan. It dose not require and new fees and it certainly seems like it will protect both the park and the beach. The potential drawback of relocating some of the infrastructure like sewage and gas pipes is not insurmountable and is well worth doing. I think Surfrider and EDC have put in a huge amount of effort and expense on this and it is paying off.
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» on 02.25.10 @ 10:07 AM
Empirical evidence indicates there is a likely cause/effect relationship between the width and stability of the beach inside Goleta Bay, and the presence of a kelp bed offshore. The erosion problem plaguing Goleta Beach began with the disappearance of the kelp bed and has persisted with the kelp beds inability to recovery naturally ever since. If aiding in the recovery of a kelp bed offshore is possible and proves to be economical, then it’s reasonable to try it. I am presently moving forward with pursuing funding, support, and permits for a pilot study to test a method (which takes a myriad of parameters into consideration) for doing so. If successful, the intent is to further pursue the reestablishment of a kelp bed of historical proportions. Once established, it’s possible the kelp bed will alter the hydrodynamics of the bay in a manner resulting in the natural reformation of a wide beach inside Goleta Bay. If this were to occur, the need to move the Parks infrastructure, and projected future ongoing costs, could become moot.
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» on 02.25.10 @ 12:00 PM
To Bob Kiel,
You have an excellent idea. It takes me back to the time I worked at Neushel Mariculture, the kelp farm and experiments with kelp farming. If established, I believe a substantial kelp bed could be the answer to preserving Goleta Beach while not having any impact downstream.
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» on 02.25.10 @ 05:33 PM
As a citizen of Goleta for my entire life why are we wasting the money. If erosion takes the beach so mother nature wanted the beach back. We as people need to stop trying to enforce our will on mother nature and sit back relax and enjoy the beach till it is gone.
Pretty simple.
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» on 02.25.10 @ 06:16 PM
I’ve lived in Goleta 40 years and go to Goleta Beach often.
Finally ... a sensible plan that protects the beach.
Move the sewer & utility lines all the way out of harm’s way.
Thank you County Park Department, and EDC and Surfriders too.
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» on 02.28.10 @ 03:11 PM
Interesting how folks think this new plan (GBP2.0) is saving the park. Is anyone aware that potentially 1500’ of protection will be remove thereby subjecting aproximately 1/3
of the West end of the Park to be subjected to the erosion zone? I don’t understand the concern for sand deprivation down coast toward S.B. Has anyone noticed the huge build-up of sand at the mouth of the slough. When was the last time this part of the beach was so wide? Maybe all that sand that has been place on the beach in front of the picnic area of the park has migrated down coast.
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» on 03.01.10 @ 06:04 PM
Wow – the new plan for Goleta Beach sounds great. It protects the park, and the beach, and adds recreational opportunities. It’s brilliant!
Moving the utility lines further inland makes sense – I sure don’t want a sewage spill on Goleta Beach. And with the sewage line moved inland, there is no need for a controversial rock revetment. Revetments are those ugly piles of sharp, pointed boulders at the beach. They strip the sand away and leave beaches barren. And they are dangerous! I tripped on one of those revetments at Goleta Beach once and hurt my hand. Hopefully the County’s plan won’t include any more revetments on our beautiful beach.
I love that beach, and am so thankful to the EDC and Surfrider for working with the County on a solution that protects the park without building seawalls or groins that cause beaches to wash away!
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» on 03.05.10 @ 01:48 PM
Goleta Beach is the mostly highly used county park for these attributes.
It has ample Free parking for even the sunniest of summer days, has a family friendly areas, Free picnic tables, a beach for swimmers of all ages, a walking and fishing pier, easy Free access to the sand by people of many different capabilities, Free restaurant parking, Free showers, Free kayak launching.
And there is no one to monitor and charge if someone want to just see the sunset, pause for a cup of coffee ,swim to the buoys or spend a day with friends playing volleyball.
This is a place where families who can spontaneous day at the beach. This project would eliminate 180 spaces of parking
The proposal for pontoon boats in the slough, parking by the airport with shuttles. A new bridge , nature trail, new beach rental businesses a new bike path do we need that? Is it necessary.?
Do we really want to add another expensive, time consuming bloated project to our budget?
We have alternatives, Lets keep the Goleta Beach free for all, not just those who can afford it Cris Smith
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» on 03.05.10 @ 03:48 PM
Spot on, Chris !! The public at large needs to hear more logical comments like yours. Find a way to energize the masses and encourage them to get involved before it’s too late. Let your supervisor know your feelings. Is it election time yet?
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» on 03.08.10 @ 12:11 PM
Correction: There are no beach fees planned to pay for the Goleta Beach project - please check the facts before posting.
The County says this project costs less than the prior proposal which was controversial and soundly rejected.
Many of Goleta’s families like the idea of having increased local recreation at our beloved Goleta Beach. And a nature trail is a great idea ... why would anyone object to that?
The bridge is structurally unsound and has to be replaced.
Let’s move forward with this plan to protect Goleta Beach. Move the sewer line farther back so there’s no possibility of sewage spills on our beach. And let’s not build anymore of those dangerous, ugly rock sea walls which damage our beaches.
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